Overview
A game of risk vs reward by Mayday Games. Accommodating 2 to 4 players or 2 to 8 with two games combined and play in 10-15 minutes. You have a deck of cards to draw from and you earn points at the end of the game based on the cards that you have collected. The catch is that you can’t draw the same suit twice or you bust losing all your cards. There are ten suits on the game each with ? Cards in the suit. When the draw deck runs out the game is over and you tally the scores. So now that you have the basic premise of the game let’s talk about what’s in the box and how to setup to play.
The components of this game are: ( I am using the Kickstarter Limited edition version)
1: rule book (always good to have)
2: 60 loot cards ( 62 due to mermaid suit Kickstarter stretch goal)
3: 17 trait cards (18 due to mermaid suit Kickstarter stretch goal)
4: wooden skull and crossbones 1st player marker (Kickstarter stretch goal)*not included in retail version of the game*
5: one pack card sleeves ( Kickstarter stretch goal)*not included in retail version of the game*
6: 4 suit abilities reference cards ( Kickstarter stretch goal) (4 correction stickers to fix misprint of sword ability)
7: 2 trait reference cards (Kickstarter stretch goal)
8: mermaid suit ability reference card / siren trait card (alternate rules based on steam/pc game)(Kickstarter stretch goal)
9: 6 game variant cards (Kickstarter stretch goal)
Alright on to game setup
1. Make the discard pile with lowest card from each suit (4 card of mermaid suit and 2 card from all other suits in standard game.)
2. The rest of the cards make draw pile
3. Each player choose their trait
4. Choose weather or note to use a game variant (game addition not listed in the rulebook (reference card only)
5. Choose first player and enjoy the game
Gameplay
1. First player draws a card and continues until they bust or stop
2. Turn passes
3. Continue till draw pile is empty
4. Tally score
Review
I fell in love with this game when it was 1st available on IOS roughly two years ago. I backed the first unsuccessful Kickstarter and was super excited to find out they partnered with Mayday to try again. I feel the rules work very well and with the provided multiple way to win the game it keeps the game fresh. The theme is rich and the artwork on the front and back of all the cards is well done.
I have pulled this game out many time for quick filler games and did decide to go ahead and purchase an additional copy to expand player cap to 8.
My score is:
Retail Edition 3.3/5
Kickstarter Edition 4.3/5
Pure fun factor 4.5/5
Breakdown of score:
• Box: Is of a thick cardboard that I would not be afraid to carry around in my backpack for quick games on the go. 4.5/5
• Cards: they are of a good quality that should hold up to a good amount of shuffling and general wear. I have mine sleeved because the Kickstarter came with a pack of sleeves and I am really big on sleeving any cards that will be shuffled repeatedly. 4/5
• Rule book: It is a small rule book with all the base game information explained in a easy to understand format. It does not include any of the descriptions for alternate win conditions or alternate suit abilities. This is fine unless you lose the reference cards or just prefer to have all information in the rulebook. For this reason alone I have lowered my rating. 3.5/5
• First player token (Kickstarter exclusive): this is a Kickstarter stretch goal that I a good quality small laser cut wooden skull and cross bones. Not expensive by any means but adds a lot the the theme of the game. Coolness factor is a 5/5
gameplay 4.5/5
Eastside Gamer 